Diabetes: Understanding the Risks of Coma and Death

Understanding the Risks of Diabetes: How Poor Management Can Lead to Diabetic Coma and Death—Are You at Risk?

Millions of people suffer from diabetes, a chronic illness, and it can have dangerous effects if it is not properly maintained. Among the complications associated with diabetes are diabetic coma and death. Knowing the risks associated with diabetes and its signs may avert serious outcomes like diabetic coma and death.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which sugar levels remain elevated over a period of time. The two basic categories of diabetes are Type 1, an autoimmune disease where the body does not produce insulin and Type 2, where there is resistance by the body to insulin or inadequate production of insulin. Both need to be constantly under control in order to avoid secondary complications.

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How Diabetes Causes Coma
Diabetic coma may result in patients suffering from diabetes, due to blood sugar fluctuations reaching extreme levels. Two conditions prevailingly result in coma:

*Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): More common in people who have Type 1 diabetes. Sometimes, very low blood glucose level makes the body break down fats at a more rapid pace and produces acids, called ketones in the blood. It can lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis or DKA, in which your body produces high levels of ketones, including nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, and confusion. In its uncontrolled state, this can cause a diabetic coma.

*Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State (HHS): This is more predominant among Type 2 diabetics; it refers to a condition in which blood sugar levels are elevated to extremes, but without ketones in the body. Some of its manifestations include extreme thirst, excessive urination, confusion, and in the untreated state, a coma.

Both conditions require prompt medical intervention, whereby intravenous administration of insulin and restoration of fluids to the body is done to prevent further advancement to a coma.

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Several factors may increase the risk of developing a diabetic coma:

Poorly managed diabetes: Those who do not keep tabs well on their blood sugar levels or are not on an ideal regimen for medications often find it challenging to maintain a healthy lifestyle with diabetes.

Illness or infection: Any illness or infection may worsen blood sugar problems and exacerbate complications in diabetes.

Dehydration: Not drinking enough fluids is one condition that worsens blood sugar disorders and leads to HHS.

Drug and Alcohol Use: Alcohols and drugs can impair the blood sugar level regulation and how insulin can work.

Risk of Death from Diabetes:

Diabetic patients are exposed to higher risks of early death through specific complications, most notably cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and severe infections. Early effective management of diabetes reduces its complications. Strategies include:

Regular Checking: Regulation of the blood sugar levels checks the dangerous variations quickly.

Medication Compliance: Adhering to prescribed medication regimens is crucial for maintaining blood sugar control.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices: A balanced diet, regular physical activity, and weight management can significantly impact diabetes control.

Routine Check-Ups: Regular visits to healthcare providers for comprehensive assessments can help catch potential complications early.

All the complications can be caught early on when regular check-ups by healthcare providers are maintained.

Conclusion
For those suffering from the disease, it is crucial to understand the severity of the threat posed by diabetes, leading to coma and even death. Keeping abreast of warning signs and symptoms for diabetic emergencies and following prescribed management plans are great ways in which an individual can reduce their risk factor and live a much more healthy life. If someone you know or you yourself suffers from diabetes, make sure to regularly check on your status and seek medical care so as to precede potential complications.

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